A renovated multi-classroom educational center of the Superhero School, which was destroyed by enemy shelling in 2024, has opened in Kyiv's Okhmatdyt hospital
On December 23, the renovated multi-classroom educational center “School of Superheroes” was opened at the Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital in Kyiv, which was destroyed on July 8, 2024, as a result of enemy shelling. From now on, dozens of children undergoing treatment here will once again have the opportunity to study in a modern, comfortable environment.
It was from this center in Okhmatdyt in 2016 that the history of the “School of Superheroes” began — from a small classroom in the toxicology department.
Here, children did not just study – they clung to life, dreamed, and remained children despite everything. But on July 8, 2024, a Russian missile destroyed the building where the classroom was located. The preschool space was damaged, and the library was flooded, including the textbooks prepared for the new school year.
Within hours of the attack, hundreds of concerned Ukrainians arrived to clear the rubble and salvage what they could. Along with the school team, the chair of the board of trustees, Nataliia Moseychuk, was present from the outset. On the same day, information partners 1+1 Media and the Solomyanski Kotyky charity fund announced a fundraiser to restore the damaged premises. The very next day after the attack, the School of Superheroes resumed operations, providing instruction in other rooms of the hospital.
Almost a year and a half later, thanks to the funds raised, a renovated multi-classroom opened in the refurbished premises of the former library—bright, warm, filled with books, furniture, modern equipment, and teaching materials for the entire educational process.
"The new multi-classroom at Okhmatdyt is an opportunity for dozens of children who are currently in the hospital to return to learning in comfortable conditions. We are grateful to all caring Ukrainians and our partners for their support and for the opportunity to continue the educational center's history here. Every day, Okhmatdyt doctors save children's lives. And our teachers support and inspire them to recover quickly," said Natalia Zhilinska, director of the Superhero School.
Natalia Moseychuk, chair of the Superhero School's board of trustees, also attended the opening of the renovated classroom. She was there with the little superheroes during their Ukrainian language class.
“It's impossible to forget that terrible day, but we have to live in the present. When we live under constant shelling, with rockets flying overhead, Ukrainians are opening schools — and for me personally, it's like a rematch,” commented Natalia Moseychuk.
The Solomianski Kotiki charity fund, which supports defenders, rescuers, and civilians, raised funds for the restoration of the center.
"For the Solomianski Kotyki Foundation, participating in the restoration of the School of Superheroes was a response to a challenge that we could not ignore. After the Russian missile strike on Okhmatdyt, the foundation's team felt the same pain as the whole country. Then we clearly understood that we needed to act effectively and responsibly. We participated in the fundraising effort and assumed the role of aid operator. After all, we are convinced that Ukraine's most valuable asset is its people. New generations of Ukrainians have studied and will continue to study at the School of Superheroes, where they receive knowledge and support despite the war. This project is about contributing to the future of the country, and we are happy to be a part of it," said Sofia Mykytenko, deputy director of the Solomyanski Kotyky Charitable Foundation.
Life at the Superhero School educational center in Okhmatdyt continues! In particular, this story proves that education also heals.
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Today, the Superhero School is a state institution operating under the patronage of Olena Zelenska. There are 23 educational centers in 17 regions throughout Ukraine. During the period of operation, more than 41,000 children received more than 462,000 educational services. In addition, since January 2024, more than 1,000 children in psychiatric wards have begun their education through the institution's flagship project, “Unlimited Education.” The educational process at the “School of Superheroes” is provided by a team of over 300 teachers who work every day to ensure that children have access to education even in the most challenging circumstances.
